Moguls are coming onto the market in big numbers right now. Some collections are being sold because people need money. Some are sold because their owners have passed away. And some are just plain new and right out of the factory. Yours Truly tries to follow the eBay market a bit and what I have seen lately is cause for caution.
Let me make this clear: I am talking LGB Moguls only. And this is what you should know before you start bidding on one.
The Mogul was first introduced into the market by LGB Germany around 1983. It came with some teething problems. That's when Klaus joined Wolfgang Richter and Guenter Ruhland to make the Mogul run safer and smoother and prevent her from falling over. The pilot axle suspension was changed to limit specific operational margins. All Moguls whether coal type (2019) or wood type (2018) had four "fixed" numbers and a letter if they had either steam (D) or sound (S). A mogul then would have the number 2018D, 2018S or 2019D or 2019S. That was it.
That system worked fine until about 1998. In these first 15 years the Mogul was solely manufactured and assembled in Germany. After that the Mogul was also manufactured in China, but some parts were still made in Germany. Sometimes parts were manufactured in China but the loco and tender were assembled in Germany. The Bumblebee Mogul was rebuilt /assembled in the USA.
The number system changed to five numbers and NO letters. Numbers would range from 21184 to 29182, with the "18" in the middle for wood type and the "19" in the middle for coal type. From around 1998 until 2006 roughly 15,300 Moguls were manufactured. The value of the Mogul should be US$ 2,500.00 for very old versions in magnificent condition to $1,200.00 for newer versions made before 2006 in very good to mint condition. Prices on eBay vary very much. Right now the average price for a Mogul varies between US$ 500.00 to 750.00 in good to very good condition and is definitely undervalued in case that Mogul is older than 2002. BUT...!!..:
You should make absolutely sure what condition the Mogul is really in. Is the motor still functioning? If it has sound how old is the Mogul and does the sound still work. Was the soundboard replaced or is it still the original sound board (more valuable when original board is still functioning). Some sell a Mogul with a number that cannot exist like 2219D. Ask for a photo from underneath the loco and check out the stamps and numbers. Ask for the original packaging and check for the loco number. Are the figurines in the loco and tender? Are the couplers intact? Were the loco and/or the tender embellished and have special collector's value, e.g. parts were gilded or parts were added in brass.
Some Mogul series are more valuable due to their very small production numbers, e.g. the 22185 Disney or the 21192 DRGW.
When totally in doubt don't hesitate to send an email to Yours Truly - we will try to help as best as we can. And if you have more detailed information on this subject yourself we would certainly appreciate you, dear reader, sharing this with us. THANKS and happy bidding!
.........................................(this subject) to be continued..............
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Here We Go Again! - Good News - Other News and ...
...with Spring in full bloom and Summer around the corner, with your LGB trains humming and your layouts fully functioning and shiny....aahhhh...The good news is, Yours Truly is back and up and running again. The weird news is one of our German suppliers took Spring Break literally, it seems, and Klaus is still waiting for some big orders to be delivered....
The good news is, Klaus is back in full energy, too. He and his workshop are ready for all your locos that need a little professional TLC. Klaus' workshop is fully furnished with lathe, specialty saws, specialty drills, soldering devices, and, and, and... and a 3-D mill that Klaus operates himself to create and make parts from scratch as he needs them.
The older your LGB loco is the better are your chances she was still fully made in Nuremberg/Germany at the old (defunct) LGB factory. These locos are getting more and more valuable. Yours Truly is in constant connection with Klaus Baumann from the old LGB to verify manufacturing standards and production numbers of LGB production series (until 2005/6). So contact us with any questions about your LGB trains.
Just keep in mind that the older your LGB loco is, the more likely it gets that the old motors in the locos will eventually fail. Their expected lifetime varies; the old generation driving motors from 1995 and earlier are the best, Klaus says and their lifetime can be up to 15 years and more depending on driving time and overall maintenance. The newer generation of motors generally run for less than 10 years and then LGB had one motor generation that was badly manufactured and runs just for about 2 years.
Some of you are very handy and just need a new motor and then install it yourself. Others opt for some assistance in that. Klaus knows "his" LGB engines in the dark and by heart. There is a big difference whether you open up a Mogul or an F 7 or a Uintah or a Stainz or a China-made loco - you know where I'm going with this. I have seen locos coming into Klaus' workshop for repair that were literally slaughtered by self-proclaimed train-mechanics. They do that to any China-made LGB train- fine with me. But to do that to a 1985 Harz Querbahn or a 1987 Mogul - just breaks your heart...
Well, as I was going to say- Klaus has himself and his workshop up and running again. And when you call in for some repair and Yours Truly or Klaus are not near the phone, just leave a message. We call you back- and that's a promise. It just takes a little longer to make it into the office physically, sometimes....
The good news is, Klaus is back in full energy, too. He and his workshop are ready for all your locos that need a little professional TLC. Klaus' workshop is fully furnished with lathe, specialty saws, specialty drills, soldering devices, and, and, and... and a 3-D mill that Klaus operates himself to create and make parts from scratch as he needs them.
 |
| Old LGB factory "North Wing" 2009 |
Just keep in mind that the older your LGB loco is, the more likely it gets that the old motors in the locos will eventually fail. Their expected lifetime varies; the old generation driving motors from 1995 and earlier are the best, Klaus says and their lifetime can be up to 15 years and more depending on driving time and overall maintenance. The newer generation of motors generally run for less than 10 years and then LGB had one motor generation that was badly manufactured and runs just for about 2 years.
Some of you are very handy and just need a new motor and then install it yourself. Others opt for some assistance in that. Klaus knows "his" LGB engines in the dark and by heart. There is a big difference whether you open up a Mogul or an F 7 or a Uintah or a Stainz or a China-made loco - you know where I'm going with this. I have seen locos coming into Klaus' workshop for repair that were literally slaughtered by self-proclaimed train-mechanics. They do that to any China-made LGB train- fine with me. But to do that to a 1985 Harz Querbahn or a 1987 Mogul - just breaks your heart...
Well, as I was going to say- Klaus has himself and his workshop up and running again. And when you call in for some repair and Yours Truly or Klaus are not near the phone, just leave a message. We call you back- and that's a promise. It just takes a little longer to make it into the office physically, sometimes....
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friends - Followers - LGB Enthusiasts - Dear Readers
Sometimes live just happens - thankfully, so far, Yours Truly is doing fine.
I still have to take some time out and hopefully will be back sometime next month with news, "olds", "Klaus says" and fun stuff.
Until Then, Thank You All for Your Patience and Your Loyalty.
Yours Truly
- and Klaus says hi, as well -
I still have to take some time out and hopefully will be back sometime next month with news, "olds", "Klaus says" and fun stuff.
Until Then, Thank You All for Your Patience and Your Loyalty.
Yours Truly
- and Klaus says hi, as well -
Friday, February 25, 2011
Help Please -- Help Please -- Help Please
Klaus needs your help and support TODAY!
Legal and technical causes force us to change the email address where you can reach us. Whether it is for Massoth Electronics USA related questions or for LGB related questions or for general G-Scale information.
Please email and tell EVERYONE you know operating LGB that our new email address is
klausstork@earthlink.net
emails going to the old address usa @ massoth.com will go into a dead end-- SORRY!!!
Please help us distributing these news as fast as possible!!!
Thank you so much for your help and support. Send all your questions to klausstork@earthlink.net
We are here for you and We Will Keep Your LGB Trains Running - and that's a promise!
Legal and technical causes force us to change the email address where you can reach us. Whether it is for Massoth Electronics USA related questions or for LGB related questions or for general G-Scale information.
Please email and tell EVERYONE you know operating LGB that our new email address is
klausstork@earthlink.net
emails going to the old address usa @ massoth.com will go into a dead end-- SORRY!!!
Please help us distributing these news as fast as possible!!!
Thank you so much for your help and support. Send all your questions to klausstork@earthlink.net
We are here for you and We Will Keep Your LGB Trains Running - and that's a promise!
Friday, February 18, 2011
LGB News from Germany
Just wanted everyone to know that the lower court in Goeppingen, Germany abolished (right legal term?) the insolvency proceedings re Maerklin Germany. 430 employees lost their job since the insolvency started in 2009. The insolvency manager M.Pluta left Maerklin at the end of 2010. Owner and "CEO" are still all creditors re Maerklin, namely the BW Bank, Goldmann-Sachs, and the Loan&Savings Bank Goeppingen.
Also, LGB-Maerklin published their 2011 new items catalog, 66 pages of which 57 pages display locomotives and cars. Among the nicer ones they show a Sumter Valley Mallet and a Rio Grande Mogul; the very same that came in with faulty packaging. So we don't know how many made it into the stores. My personal favorite is the little transport car with 2 Fiat 500 on it. They also display a "23360 Hamburg Streetcar". Yours Truly spend a remarkable time during childhood school years riding on an even 35 year older version than that in the city of Koblenz, Germany.
This photo courtesy of The "Stadtarchiv Koblenz".
In case you guys have the chance to get out of the snow and to your layout- take a few moments and check your track connections. Are your track clamps in place and properly tightened? Have your tracks moved due to heavy snow and melting water? And please, please make sure that there is NO SHORT on the track before you switch on the power. Are your switches clear? And in case you need some spare parts, clamps or other spring cleaning related help, as always - Have No Fear -- Klaus Is Near!
Also, LGB-Maerklin published their 2011 new items catalog, 66 pages of which 57 pages display locomotives and cars. Among the nicer ones they show a Sumter Valley Mallet and a Rio Grande Mogul; the very same that came in with faulty packaging. So we don't know how many made it into the stores. My personal favorite is the little transport car with 2 Fiat 500 on it. They also display a "23360 Hamburg Streetcar". Yours Truly spend a remarkable time during childhood school years riding on an even 35 year older version than that in the city of Koblenz, Germany.
This photo courtesy of The "Stadtarchiv Koblenz".
In case you guys have the chance to get out of the snow and to your layout- take a few moments and check your track connections. Are your track clamps in place and properly tightened? Have your tracks moved due to heavy snow and melting water? And please, please make sure that there is NO SHORT on the track before you switch on the power. Are your switches clear? And in case you need some spare parts, clamps or other spring cleaning related help, as always - Have No Fear -- Klaus Is Near!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Won't You Be My Valentine ?
What would a real love affair be without a Mogul involved, am I right or am I right... So on this special date hug your beloved one and read on...
It was the year 1983 or so and the old LGB Germany had delivered the first Mogul series. It is unclear today who actually was the creator technically of the LGB scale Mogul model. It might have been Dr. Bismarck who ran LGB as a sort of Technical Manager. He was well known as the father of N-Gauge, being very proficient with mechanics as well as with running a company. Unfortunately he passed away in 1983 or 1984, Klaus is not quite sure about the correct date.
The leading role in manufacturing the first Moguls had Guenter Ruhland who started his lifetime working career at LGB, worked to become a Master of mold making (Meister in Formenbau) and stayed on until his retirement in 2000. But it turned out that the first series of Moguls did not run very well. The pilot axle derailed at any opportunity which then ended with the derailment of the locomotive itself. Sometimes the smokestack would break, too. Gunter Ruhland tried to improve the Mogul when Klaus came into the picture.
In 1983 Klaus himself bought a Mogul, put it on his layout tracks and sure enough: it derailed after 5 feet of running. It took him a few weeks of endless testing and redesigning until he came up with a "tuning-kit" for the Mogul. It contained an improved pilot axle pick-up and lead weights for the motorblock. Klaus handed this kit to Klaus Baumann during a railroad show in Frankfurt/Germany. Klaus' short range flying duty brought him to Nuremberg numerous times and during one of those stays he met with Klaus Baumann and Guenter Ruhland to demonstrate the changes for the Mogul and... you guessed it, from then on he had a second job (in addition to flying Lufthansa being a Captain). These improvements in addition with the invention of the flexible middle axle (by Mr. Massoth Sr.) made the Mogul to one of the best running locomotives of LGB.
This revised and greatly improved pilot axle delivered safe guidance of the Mogul locomotive on track and performed with such a betterment that the even Mogul could force open the points. And the lowered center of gravity with the additional weight prevented further mishaps with the smoke stacks.
In the years to come Klaus created the firebox light - a world novelty. A story to be read in one of our next blog editions - Happy Valentine Everyone!
It was the year 1983 or so and the old LGB Germany had delivered the first Mogul series. It is unclear today who actually was the creator technically of the LGB scale Mogul model. It might have been Dr. Bismarck who ran LGB as a sort of Technical Manager. He was well known as the father of N-Gauge, being very proficient with mechanics as well as with running a company. Unfortunately he passed away in 1983 or 1984, Klaus is not quite sure about the correct date.
The leading role in manufacturing the first Moguls had Guenter Ruhland who started his lifetime working career at LGB, worked to become a Master of mold making (Meister in Formenbau) and stayed on until his retirement in 2000. But it turned out that the first series of Moguls did not run very well. The pilot axle derailed at any opportunity which then ended with the derailment of the locomotive itself. Sometimes the smokestack would break, too. Gunter Ruhland tried to improve the Mogul when Klaus came into the picture.
In 1983 Klaus himself bought a Mogul, put it on his layout tracks and sure enough: it derailed after 5 feet of running. It took him a few weeks of endless testing and redesigning until he came up with a "tuning-kit" for the Mogul. It contained an improved pilot axle pick-up and lead weights for the motorblock. Klaus handed this kit to Klaus Baumann during a railroad show in Frankfurt/Germany. Klaus' short range flying duty brought him to Nuremberg numerous times and during one of those stays he met with Klaus Baumann and Guenter Ruhland to demonstrate the changes for the Mogul and... you guessed it, from then on he had a second job (in addition to flying Lufthansa being a Captain). These improvements in addition with the invention of the flexible middle axle (by Mr. Massoth Sr.) made the Mogul to one of the best running locomotives of LGB.
In the years to come Klaus created the firebox light - a world novelty. A story to be read in one of our next blog editions - Happy Valentine Everyone!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Extra ! - Extra ! - Extra ! - Seminar Schedule 2011
Massoth/ LGB Trains Forever College of DCC
Schedule 2011
Enroll today for great fun and exiting learning - Make your hobby worth wile and your collection valuable
We offer 3 seminars / workshops in Alpharetta/ Atlanta (GA) this year
Group I Maintaining and servicing my LGB Trains
Dates: May 21, 2011 (or) May 22, 2011
Subject: 1-day seminar with 25% off coupon on spec. merchandise
Agenda: EPL since 1881/LGB 1986-2006 - conclusions. Maintaining your collectors
values; German engineering vs. China production: ramifications for
do-it-yourself maintenance and value preservation
Audience: analog operators/ DC layout owners
Max attend.: 30
Costs: US$ 75.00
Group II DCC 101 - Introduction into DCC operation for DiMAX rookies
Date: June 3-5, 2011
Subject: 3-day seminar/workshop
Agenda: Introduction into DCC basics, DiMAX basics; incorporating
MTS/ Digitrax/ NCE (etc) into my layout. What about LGB? How do I
protect my stock and layout value? Which decoders
and modules are the right one for me and my layout. I install my
decoders myself- how do I do that right and professionally. Programming
on Main, programming loco remotes and much more...and our
switching contest.Three (3) trainer specialists will be present
throughout the event.
Audience: G-Scalers with DiMAX system and G-Scalers who want to go digital
Max attend.: 8- to guarantee 101 trainer-attendee mentoring and assistance
Costs: US$ 757.00 (accommodations and reg. meals not included
Group III Advanced DCC 101-2 for DiMAX Pros
Date: June 10-12, 2011
Subject: 3-day seminar/workshop
Agenda: Automation components, track contacts, relay basics/requirements,
advanced use of feedback modules, braking modules, extreme layout
programming; automatic PC controls + programming, ROC Rail, Stellwerk,
advanced use of automatic functions...and a programming contest.
Three (3) trainers will be present throughout the event.
Audience: DiMAX system operators with DC experience
Max attend.: 8 - to guarantee 101 trainer-attendee mentoring and assistance
Costs: US$ 757.00 (accommodations+reg.meals not included)
Location: HyattPlace Hotel in Alpharetta North Point Mall, GA, ca 35 miles north of Atlanta (downtown/Airport). 3-day events include a BBQ night.
Booking/ Enrolling: via klausstork@earthlink.net - THANK YOU!!
Schedule 2011
Enroll today for great fun and exiting learning - Make your hobby worth wile and your collection valuable
We offer 3 seminars / workshops in Alpharetta/ Atlanta (GA) this year
Group I Maintaining and servicing my LGB Trains
Dates: May 21, 2011 (or) May 22, 2011
Subject: 1-day seminar with 25% off coupon on spec. merchandise
Agenda: EPL since 1881/LGB 1986-2006 - conclusions. Maintaining your collectors
values; German engineering vs. China production: ramifications for
do-it-yourself maintenance and value preservation
Audience: analog operators/ DC layout owners
Max attend.: 30
Costs: US$ 75.00
Group II DCC 101 - Introduction into DCC operation for DiMAX rookies
Date: June 3-5, 2011
Subject: 3-day seminar/workshop
Agenda: Introduction into DCC basics, DiMAX basics; incorporating
MTS/ Digitrax/ NCE (etc) into my layout. What about LGB? How do I
protect my stock and layout value? Which decoders
and modules are the right one for me and my layout. I install my
decoders myself- how do I do that right and professionally. Programming
on Main, programming loco remotes and much more...and our
switching contest.Three (3) trainer specialists will be present
throughout the event.
Audience: G-Scalers with DiMAX system and G-Scalers who want to go digital
Max attend.: 8- to guarantee 101 trainer-attendee mentoring and assistance
Costs: US$ 757.00 (accommodations and reg. meals not included
Group III Advanced DCC 101-2 for DiMAX Pros
Date: June 10-12, 2011
Subject: 3-day seminar/workshop
Agenda: Automation components, track contacts, relay basics/requirements,
advanced use of feedback modules, braking modules, extreme layout
programming; automatic PC controls + programming, ROC Rail, Stellwerk,
advanced use of automatic functions...and a programming contest.
Three (3) trainers will be present throughout the event.
Audience: DiMAX system operators with DC experience
Max attend.: 8 - to guarantee 101 trainer-attendee mentoring and assistance
Costs: US$ 757.00 (accommodations+reg.meals not included)
Location: HyattPlace Hotel in Alpharetta North Point Mall, GA, ca 35 miles north of Atlanta (downtown/Airport). 3-day events include a BBQ night.
Booking/ Enrolling: via klausstork@earthlink.net - THANK YOU!!
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